Healing the Vet's Heart

‘I’m Ellie’s dad. I heard you’ve been out with Drew today.’

‘Yes, we just got back.’

‘Ellie says it’s not as bad as we’d feared.’

Drew shook his head. ‘It’s a small spill. Hopefully it won’t be coming onto the shore.’

Gordo nodded. ‘What are you having?’

‘I’ll have a sparkling water.’ Drew turned to her. ‘Do you want to try the local brew?’

Gordo was already moving towards the pump and there seemed to be no escaping it. ‘I’ll have a half, thank you.’

Drew reached for his wallet and Gordo shook his head. ‘First round’s on me for everyone who’s been out today. Something to eat, Caro? We do a mean fish and chips, even if I do say so myself.’

‘Fish and chips sounds great. A large portion, please.’

Drew chuckled. ‘Gordo doesn’t know how to do small portions. Same for me too, please.’

‘Right you are.’ Gordo turned, shouting to someone who was working in the kitchen behind the bar, and then got their drinks for them.

Both Gordo and Drew were looking at her, and it appeared that she was expected to taste hers now. She took a sip.

‘Mmm. This is very good.’

Gordo nodded in approbation and turned to his next customer, while Drew guided Caro over to a table by the fire. When their food arrived, the chips were good as well. And the fish was delicious. They were both hungry.

‘Oh.’ Caro leaned back in her seat, surveying her empty plate. ‘That was lovely.’

Drew was looking pleasantly relaxed now too. He seemed to know everyone here, exchanging a few words with whoever happened to walk past their table.

‘You want another drink?’

‘What I’d really like is a hot shower and a bed.’ Caro wondered whether she should emphasise that both would be alone as she saw that flash of mischief in his eyes again. No, alone went without saying.

‘Me too.’ He got to his feet, making his way over to the bar, and Caro grabbed her coat and followed him.

‘You can put that away.’ Gordo had seen Drew’s wallet in his hand.

‘What’s the matter, Gordo? Won the lottery?’ Drew raised his eyebrows.

‘I’ll take your money next time you’re in here.’ Gordo propped his elbow on the beer pumps. ‘But no one would have expected you to go out today, Drew. Not so soon after the accident.’

‘You’ll take something from me?’ Caro had been feeling for her purse at the bottom of her bag and finally found it.

Gordo laughed. ‘My Ellie doesn’t know when she’s beaten either. Off with you both, before I throw you out.’

Drew chuckled, leaning over the bar to shake Gordo’s hand. Then he ushered Caro through the door and into his car.

‘That was nice of him.’ Ellie settled into her seat as Drew drove through the narrow lanes to his cottage.

‘He and Wyn are great. I used to hang out with Ellie at their place quite a bit when we were kids and my mum and dad were arguing.’

‘You and Ellie...you never thought about getting together?’

Drew let out an explosive laugh. ‘What? No. Ellie and I practically grew up together, she’s the sister I never had. I think there were about ten minutes, when we were sixteen, when I realised that she might be pretty.’

Caro raised her eyebrows. ‘What? Ellie’s gorgeous.’